University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Durall earns CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition
07.05.2021 | Men's Soccer
AUSTIN, Texas – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) released its 2021 Division I Men's Soccer Academic All-America teams on Monday, with Asheville's Taylor Durall earning the honor.
Durall, who is one of just 33 players across the nation to be named CoSIDA Academic All-American, garnered third team recognition.
"I'm very grateful for the support I've received at UNC Asheville that has helped me find success on the pitch and in the classroom," Durall said. "This would not have been possible without the support of my teammates, the staff, AD Cone, Chancellor Cable, Dr. Ted Meigs, my professors, and my family. I'm excited to build on our success from the spring this coming fall season."
This past season as a redshirt junior, Durall was a key piece for a Bulldog team that made its first appearance in the Big South Tournament since 2016, and first semifinal appearance in 13 years (2008), earning Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the process. The Plover, Wisconsin native started all seven games in which he appeared in this season for Asheville, leading the team in shots and shots on goal, tying his career-high of three goals while serving as a team captain. A biology major with a minor in neuroscience, Durall boasts a near-perfect GPA of 3.97. In addition to his undergraduate research, Durall works with the "Be the Match" program, which is an organization that recruits people to join the National Bone Marrow Registry.
Durall is just the second Bulldog in program history to be named an Academic All-American, and the first since 2001 (Mike Roach). A total of 33 players nationwide comprised the three teams, with the entire men's team (First, Second, Third) holding a collective average GPA of 3.78.
The award is given to the most accomplished student-athletes for athletic and academic achievement, and is the longest-running award for student-athletes (1952).
For more information regarding the Academic All-America® program, visit https://academicallamerica.com/. For the full release, click here.
